by Ally Shields
Ari had her first questions ready. “What’s the name of your tribe?”
“What? Uh, my ancestors were Sac.”
“Where were you born and raised?”
Dyani frowned, obviously confused by the direction the questions had taken. “Oklahoma.”
“On the reservation?” Dyani nodded, and Ari smiled. Interesting. The origin of the recently found letter. “Nice country.” Before Dyani could comment, Ari fired off what she really wanted to know. “Tell me what you know about Blackhawk’s bloodstone.”
The Indian woman blinked, emotions chasing across her face. After a moment she blanked her expression. “It’s nothing but a story told by the old ones.”
“It’s a whole lot more than that. In fact, it’s the reason you’re on this expedition. Let’s stop playing games.”
Dyani pursed her lips in denial, but her gaze slid to follow the swimmers in the pool.
“We know you’re hiding something,” Ryan said. “We just don’t know if you’re responsible for Barron’s death.”
“Oh, no, you’re not going to pin that on me.” Dyani’s mouth formed an Oh in sudden alarm. “OK, I guess you know I passed on some old legend, but nothing’s illegal about that. Lost artifacts can be claimed by anyone. When I called Barron’s office to offer the information, Jase himself called me back. He was willing to agree to anything I wanted. Any amount of money.” Her apprehension turned to anger as she shifted her attention to Ari. “So sue me.”
Ari met her gaze, disregarding the defiant tone. The woman was feeling guilty, but about what? “What did you tell him? And when?”
“Don’t you know? Isn’t that what this is about? I gave him a copy of some stupid letter, the one with Blackhawk’s last words about the location of the bloodstone. Jase took it from there.”
“Where is this letter now?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen it since I turned it over to Jase.”
“And the original?”
“I assume it’s still in Oklahoma with the family. Who wants an old letter? I got the information I needed.”
“You said Jase took over. What did you mean?”
Dyani shrugged. “He figured out where the stone was hidden, plotted the ley lines to the caverns, and set up the expedition. He had the exact latitude and longitude coordinates, but we didn’t find the bloodstone. When we got near the spot, the cave passage was blocked by a chindi, and I got the hell out of there. I refused to go back, but Jase said he’d have it removed.”
Ryan leaned forward. “You were actually inside the caverns?”
“Yeah.” She frowned at him. “I thought you guys knew that.”
“Just you and Barron? When were you there?” Ari locked her gaze on the woman. “Tell us everything that happened.”
When Dyani looked as though she might refuse to answer, Ryan took his handcuffs off his belt and laid them on the table with a clang. She stretched her neck as if it suddenly felt tight. “Right after we docked on Tuesday. Jase told the others he was going to talk with local authorities, and I pretended to have a headache. Said I needed a nap. We went to the cliffs and spent most of the afternoon searching for an entrance. When we finally found this crawl space that got us inside, Jase’s compass calculations led us to this huge, incredible cavern.” Her face brightened for an instant. “It really was spectacular. But then Jase started into this tunnel and we saw…I don’t know what it was. Some ghostly thing. Jase got all excited, figured we were close to the bloodstone.” Dyani’s eyes grew big. “I just wanted to get away.”
“And did you?”
“Yeah. We both left.” She hesitated. “I guess Jase must have gone back after dinner.”
“He didn’t tell you?” When she shook her head, Ryan fired off another question. “Why would he go alone?”
“I don’t know. Honestly. Maybe it was because I was so freaked by that thing. He shouldn’t have gone into the caves by himself. Even I know that. I can’t imagine why he took such a chance.”
Ryan frowned, looking doubtful. “Seems pretty odd since you two found the cave together.”
Dyani shrugged.
Ari stirred but didn’t say anything. It was obvious to her that Jase had gotten all he wanted from his Indian guide and was cutting her out. It might have been a good reason to kill him.
“Anything else you haven’t you told us?” Ryan was winding up.
Dyani looked at her hands, locked together in her lap. “Only that Jase wasn’t scared of the ghost. I couldn’t figure out why he kept telling me not to worry. He said he’d made arrangements for that sort of thing, and on our way to the boat, he tried to call someone. Maybe he returned to the caves with them.” She wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. “Am I in trouble?”
Ari stifled a snort. A little late to be worrying about that. The Indian woman probably hadn’t broken any laws, but Ari was betting her tribe would have something harsh to say. She’d tried to sell a part of their heritage.
“We’ll sort out the legalities later.” Ryan’s answer was cryptic. “I’ll let you know.”
Ari watched the young woman return to her companions. Dyani was laughing again before Ryan and Ari left the pool area.
Once they exited the hotel’s swinging doors, Ryan gave Ari a ride to the club in his cruiser.
“Who do you think Barron called?” Ryan stopped in the drive next to the club’s side door.
“His girlfriend. His dentist. His killer. Who knows? What I wouldn’t give to have his cell phone. Have you checked his records?”
Ryan idled the car in park. “One of the first things I tried to do. His cellular account shows no activity since reaching Riverdale.”
Ari paused in the midst of opening the passenger door. “That’s interesting. Dyani claimed he called someone. Maybe he used a pre-paid phone or had an account under another name.”
“Already checking credit card receipts or anything that might lead to a second phone or user account. So far, no luck.”
“You know…” Ari’s face lit with sudden interest. “That call might lead to the coven. If he was using witch consultants, he would naturally call them to exorcise a spirit. Carmody can tell us if they’ve ever used that kind of expertise.”
“I thought you suspected the coven of conjuring the ghost.”
“I did. I do. Maybe they were double-crossing Barron and got there first. It would explain how they got involved in all this. Hell, I don’t know yet. I’m just guessing.”
“So now you want to go back to the hotel to talk with Carmody again?” When she nodded, he eased the car out of park, turned around and swung back into traffic. Ari barely got the door closed before he was speeding down the street.
“Hey, what’s the hurry? Carmody isn’t leaving town for a couple hours. You nearly dumped me in the street.”
“Sorry, but I just noticed the time. I’ll drop you off to pursue Carmody, but I’ve got an appointment. Chief insists I meet with this PR guy that I’ve been avoiding.”
Ari stopped herself from laughing but couldn’t quite wipe the grin from her face. “Have fun.” She hopped out in front of the hotel’s main doors.
Ryan mumbled something. Ari figured it was just as well she hadn’t heard.
After making inquiries at the front desk, she called Carmody in his room. He invited her up. Top floor. The rest of the crew had less expensive accommodations, although nothing at the River Vista was cheap.
Carmody opened the door. “Would you like a drink?” He held a martini glass in his hand.
“No thanks. It’s a little early for me.” It was 11:00 in the morning. He must be part of the pre-lunch martini crowd, unless her visit had prompted the drink.
“I hope you don’t mind if I indulge. I’m not good at waiting around.” His affable look said he anticipated her tacit approval.
“Suit yourself. I won’t take up much of your time. It looks like you’ve been working.” Ari’s obvious scrutiny took in the papers scattered around an
open laptop on the sitting room table. The area overlooked a nice view of downtown Riverdale and the bridges over the Oak River. The remainder of his suite included a well-appointed living area and two closed doors that she assumed led to a bedroom and bath.
“I was online, checking on some last-minute details. We’ll fly directly from the funeral to the next site, a dig for mammoth bones. No offense, but I’m anxious to leave town.”
“You haven’t exactly seen us at our best. So, who’ll be the big TV star now? You?”
He gave her a crooked smile. “Are you implying something?”
“Not in the least. Only curious.”
“It will probably be me for a while. Maybe we’ll give Cole a try, but he may not have the necessary appeal with the male portion of our viewing audience. Not rugged enough. We’re putting out feelers to reel in someone new. Which Cole doesn’t know, by the way, so I’d appreciate your discretion.” He looked at her over the rim of his martini. “I don’t imagine you came here to talk about my business prospects.”
“No, but I am interested in your business practices.”
“How so? Should I call the lawyers again?”
“I don’t think you’ll need them for this. I have a question or two about your use of experts on the show.”
He brightened, apparently pleased this wasn’t going to be a confrontation. “Then, please have a seat and ask away.” He waved her toward a seating area near the windows.
As they settled into the upholstered chairs, Ari said, “I assume you use consultants. Beyond the obvious archeologists, cavers, divers, that sort of thing.”
“Whatever it takes to get the job done. Often they’re local to the site, but we have a healthy budget. Did you have something particular in mind?”
“A spiritual consultant, maybe an Otherworlder. I was thinking specifically of wizards or witches.”
“We have used them, but I don’t mind admitting I keep my distance. Jase was into that sort of thing.” He took a sip of his martini. “I’m cautious of things I don’t understand.”
Ari nodded. She’d felt his discomfort of her Otherworldliness when they’d first met, even though he’d denied it. “Are you aware of any recent contacts of that nature?”
Carmody scowled, but she saw him begin to consider the possibilities. “With witches? Is this how he died? You brought up magic once before.”
“We still don’t know what caused his death. It looks like a fall due to a heart attack, but we have to check every possible lead.”
“Uh-huh, I hear what you’re not saying.” He downed the last of his drink. “My God, Jase, what did you get yourself into?” He spoke softly, as he walked to the suite’s bar and fixed a second martini. “You sure you don’t want one, Ms. Calin?” It was an automatic social question; he didn’t even look up for an answer. New courage in hand, he plopped himself on the couch this time. “I knew Jase was being more secretive than usual, but, no, I wasn’t aware he’d consulted with anyone like that. A witch or wizard, you say. When we were working in Peru, he talked long distance with a woman in Cincinnati. Called her several times about an incantation we found carved into a wall. Since he paid her a fee, we should have her name and address in our records. If I’m remembering right, she was into spiritual things, like voodoo or witchcraft.”
“There is a big difference.”
“Is there?” He made a dismissive sweep of the hand holding his drink. “I wouldn’t know. Not information I figure I’ll ever need.”
“Probably not.” Ari heard the hint he’d had enough magic talk. “It’s nothing amateurs should dabble in. I’d appreciate it if you’d look for the name and call me.” She stood and laid a business card on the coffee table. “This case isn’t closed just because you’re leaving town. I still intend to find out exactly how your partner died.”
As she turned to close the door behind her, Carmody raised his martini glass in salute and gave a slight nod. She pulled the door closed. Maybe he was wishing her good luck with her case or merely happy she was leaving. It didn’t matter. Ari didn’t need luck, but she did need a break. Maybe she’d have to make her own.
Chapter Eleven
When Ari walked out of the hotel, it was still many hours before dark. Following Moriana’s advice, she intended to wait until the coven might be active with evening rituals before she tried a scrying spell to find their location. Until then, she had other projects on her to-do list. The last two of Bella’s kittens needed homes.
Claris’s shop was packed with tourists. The 1800s renovated section of Olde Town sat on the banks of the Oak River, just before it emptied into the Mississippi. Streets in the area were made of brick and cobblestone, lit at night by electrified gas lanterns. Vehicle parking was restricted to large lots, and hitching posts for the horse-and-carriage rides stood in front of each store. With special permission, tour buses were allowed to park on the street for twenty-minute segments. One was parked out front now, so Ari went to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and wait. It was less than ten minutes later when Claris joined her.
“Wow, that stop was great. Covers my expenses for two or three days.” Claris’s excitement bubbled over. “How’s your day going?”
“Not as good as yours, but nothing this cup of coffee can’t cure.” Ari wasn’t about to ruin her friend’s good mood with talk of murder and greed and missing vampires.
“I have great news,” Claris suddenly announced. “Gabriel found the perfect owner for Re.”
“Gabriel.” Again? “You’re certainly talking with him a lot. How does Brando feel about this new friendship?”
Claris flipped her hand back and forth. “How would I know? He’s off at another conference.”
Ari hid a worried frown. She, Claris, and Brando had been friends since elementary school, and her friends had been dating for almost two years. Although Brando was a wizard, his personality was so laid back that Ari hadn’t worried about his relationship with Claris. In fact, Brando and Claris had been good together—except he was also a dedicated scientist. He frequently attended conferences to share his findings, and more recently, he’d become a popular speaker. He was away a lot, and Claris was alone much too often.
And Gabriel was so damned pretty. Wavy blond hair, impossibly long lashes, abs to die for.
“Um, well, who’s this perfect owner?”
“An elf. She’s a waitress and the sweetest thing. Wait until you get to know her. You’ll see.”
“Waitress where?”
“Some vampire bar.” Claris didn’t meet Ari’s gaze.
“Claris? I know when you’re avoiding telling me something.”
Claris ducked her head. “OK, it’s the Second Chance Saloon. But she’s really nice. I swear.”
Ari snorted. “Yeah, sure. That’s a vampire biker bar.”
“So, what? Everybody has to make a living. You can at least talk to her. She likes you.”
“Me? How does she know me? None of my friends hang out there. What’s her name?”
“Feyla Rains.”
Ari knit her brows in thought. The name did seem familiar. “Oh, the crying girl.” Ari pictured the pixie-faced girl she’d met during her very first murder investigation. “I’m surprised she still works there. Didn’t seem the type. In fact, she’s so shy that Re will run all over her.”
“That’s what I think too,” Claris said, clapping her hands. “He’ll insist on taking charge, and Feyla will let him. It’s a perfect match.”
Ari hesitated, not sure she shared her friend’s enthusiasm. “OK, we’ll give it a try, but Re makes the final choice.”
“Like always, but I have a good feeling about this match.”
The two friends spent the next quarter of an hour discussing possibilities for Dona’s adoption, but neither of them came up with a good prospect. When the shop bell announced new customers, Ari left her friend to tend to her herbal business and headed for her office at the Cultural Center.
* * *
&n
bsp; It wasn’t until late in the afternoon that Ari squirmed in her desk chair, a sudden uneasy feeling settling across her shoulders. She straightened, recognizing the source of her discomfort. She and Andreas had been able to sense each other’s moods for months now. This co-mingling of their magics was producing some unanticipated results.
She picked up the phone and called. “What’s wrong? You’re upset. I can feel it.”
“Ah, cara mia. You beat me to the phone. Ursula never left Canada. She is pressuring the other Canadian vampire courts to strike against Daron. A dozen or so of the princes have arranged a secret meeting with Daron to discuss the situation, and he has asked me to attend.”
“But we have trouble here, and our vampires are missing. Is your presence that important?”
“I am afraid so. Daron is strong but against so many… We must work together to convince the other princes, perhaps form our own coalition to stand against Ursula.”
“That sounds like a full-scale war. You’re beginning to scare me.”
“If we can win over the other leaders, it might prevent war by keeping the O-Seven away from this continent or at least delay further attempts to spread their control. Our future here in Riverdale could depend on what this group decides.” He paused. “I am counting on Gabriel—and you—to look for our missing people. I told Daron you would not be coming this time. He understands our dilemma.”
“I don’t like it. You there, me here. I feel like fate’s playing divide and conquer.”
“I know, Arianna, but I see no choice. If Daron is crushed under the thumb of the O-Seven, we will be next in line.”
She sighed in resignation. “How soon will you go?”
“I am on my way to the plane.”
“Now?” Ari’s stomach fluttered, and she was tempted to say, “Don’t go.” But his friendship with Daron was important, and she didn’t want more trouble coming to Riverdale. If this meeting resulted in an alliance among the vampires, they’d all be stronger. “Stay safe.”